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Join us Monday, April 4 at 2 pm for Science Demystified with Dr Ariel Fenster, “Science and Art: Facts and Fakes”.

Science is essential to the analysis of works of art. Modern tools, from macro-photography to X-rays can be used to reveal not only the techniques employed by the artist but also the condition and story of any resulting masterpieces.

In this lecture the relationship that exists between science and art is examined through a variety of works from Vermeer to Van Gogh. The presentation also looks at the history and science of the various pigments used by the great masters such as Titian, Rembrandt and Monet. It reveals the unusual origin of Indian Yellow and the secret of Ultramarine. It also explains the reasons for the widespread popularity of Lead White and the versatility of cadmium paints. Finally, the lecture highlights the role of science in determining the authenticity of various works by examining famous cases of forgery ranging from the Shroud of Turin to the notorious Van Meegeren affair.